The Persia to Paarl Festival in Paarl, near Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday 16th August 2008 is set to be a colourful and exciting occasion that you will definitely NOT want to miss – even if you are an avid South Africa rugby supporter or indeed, even if you are a New Zealand supporter!

The rugby will be shown on a big screen, so not a moment of the action is missed and you will still be able to enjoy the wonderful array of entertainment on show in Paarl.

Why Persia?  You may well ask.  The answer is in the Shiraz wines!  The name Shiraz takes its name from the town of Shiraz in Iran, formerly Persia.  The story goes that a Frenchman by the name of  Guy De’Sterimberg brought the grape back from the Crusades, settled in Southern France and created a vineyard on the slopes of the Rhone River valley.  He later became a hermit and this is why the wine is also known as Hermitage.

Sandra Lotz, Paarl Vintners CEO says “We annually celebrate the Shiraz cultivar because of the special affinity Shiraz vines have for the Paarl terroir, thus gracing wine drinkers with world class wines.” “This festival provides the perfect alternative to staying at home for fear of the cold!”

So what can you expect to see?  True to the images of life in ancient Persia, visitors will be able to experience the region’s exquisite wines and divine cuisine, Middle Eastern and local arts and crafts, and inspiring demonstrations in a setting of deep royal hues.  A Persian parade by Paarl Vintners members, belly dancers and live music will add to the festive atmosphere.

Street stalls selling all manner of goodies such as:-

• Olives
• Olive oil
• Cheese Tastings
• Silverware
• Jewellery
• Grape Seed Oil
• Turkish Delight
• Wine Tasting
• Chocolate Salami
• Shiraz jam
• Shiraz Chocolates
• Chocolate Salami

The Persian Parade, as well as children’s entertainment complete the line-up.  For full information and to book tickets, please go to Wine Country Paarl.

Cape Town is one everyone’s lips at the moment, with the 2010 Soccer World Cup due to be played in the city, but what do you know about this beautiful South African “Mother” city?

I’ve written a HubPages article on the history of this glorious city by the sea, suggesting a number of “Must See” attractions that you ought to add to your itinerary.   If you are coming to the football, you will not want to miss out on the top things to see and do, so start planning early to make sure to see everything!

Whilst you are on the HubPages pages, check out the best way to pack at this HubPage – great information in this day and age of less and less weight allowance and airlines charging for every bag you take with you!

I’ve just posted a new HubPage on Cape Town’s and South Africa’s colourful history.  Why not go and take a look?

Cape Town South Africa – The Colourful History Behind The Mother City

I am sure you will agree that some of the places I’ve mentioned are either unknown or get overlooked when thinking about what to do in Cape Town, but I guarantee you will want to add some of them to your itinerary as you will really get a feel for the country and its people.

If you would like help with your South Africa itinerary, fill out the short form on the Contact page, and I will be back to you with your own personalised travel ideas within a few hours.

Safari in South Africa and you will definitely want to add Cape Town to your itinerary. Cape Town’s wonderful Waterfront is a hive of activity from early morning to late into the night with international cusine in its restaurants, exceptional shopping in its malls and street theatre to rival Barcelona’s Ramblas!

Take a look at my first video, produced by me of Cape Town’s Waterfront. I hope you will agree that the blue skies, superb views and activity make it a “mustn’t miss” stop on your safari in South Africa itinerary!

Let me know what you think of the video by posting a comment. I have lots more to show you, so watch out for more posts in the coming weeks …

We have arrived!  Cape Town is as lovely as ever!  It’s like coming home and we are lucky enough to be able to call it our second home, but Cape Town has this magical effect on anyone who visits!

Table Mountain stands as resolute and protective as ever, standing guard over the harbour and bay with the sea sparkling in the warm early summer sun.

Here on the Lagoon we have already sighted Oyster Catchers, Spoonbills, Egrets, and the pretty Turns, who swoop and dive as one on the evening breeze.  The dipping and diving of the Cormorants entertain us all.

Tomorrow is the first time in 26 years that I have celebrated my birthday here in Cape Town, so we are off to Franschhoek to The Petite Ferme, a wine estate and superb restaurant, where we will dine at lunchtime, gazing down over the rolling hillside towards Franschhoek itself, across the vines all laid out to catch the sun.

Franschhoek is about 1 – 1 1/2 hours out of Cape Town.  Surrounded by towering mountains, the French Huguenots founded the town some 300 years ago, bringing with them their skills of wine making and grape growing.  Coupled with French culinary abilities, they created a unique culture that has survived and grown into the beautiful valley that is Franschhoek today.

The galleries and shops in the main street offer hours of interesting browsing and shopping from wine to nik naks, antiques to souvenirs.

Staying out in the winelands and in Franschhoek in particular, offers wonderful opportunities for a number of activities such as fishing the clear-running streams for Trout, taking a horse and carriage ride through the vineyards, picnics, dining al fresco under the stars and a 101 other things that make a holiday special!

I am going to record the spectacular scenery on my new camcorder and hope to be able to bring you in the New Year my efforts!

22 months gestation for the elephant and 24 months gestation for my ebook …

Yes, I’ve finally done it! The frustrations have been considerable and far too many to mention here, you will be relieved to know, but I have now “given birth” to my “elephant”!

“An Insider’s Guide To South Africa: 101 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Cape Town” has hit the virtual “book stands” in the form of an immediately downloadable ebook in PDF format.

Find out those all important facts about a travel destination everyone has on their MUST DO list. Whet your appetite – here are just a few of the things you will discover within its pages:

• Looking for the insider secrets? Check out page 4 on where to look
• Find out why the Cape of Good Hope had an early change of name
• How the city evolved into today’s Cape Town – Castles, grand houses, luxury and magnificence
• Why Cosmopolitan Cape Town continues to thrive – how the buzz and energy seeps into your pores
• Discover the Gold of Africa – twenty carat gold chunks and glittering gold artefacts depicting the wealth and power of African kings
• District Six where you can find the history of apartheid and its devastating effects on the “ordinary” people
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – a mecca for those looking for the finest restaurants, shops, entertainment, living. A must read – find it on page 25
• Day Jaunts and Overnight stays – the choice is yours
• Discover the beauties of Cape Point and swim with penguins
• Sip wine all day under spreading oak trees, with your picnic laid out beside you on the Wine Route
• Shopping, Entertainment, Sports – not just for adults, but all the best things for children to get delighted about too!
• Where To Stay, Eat and be merry … let us whet your appetite
• And much, much more … we are longing to show you how dazzling this city at the foot of Africa REALLY is …

It’s been nearly 24 months in the planning, writing, organising, uploading etc, but you can now get the book at Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

Do let me know what you think of the book! I’d love to know your comments …

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I received the Stellenbosch Wine Route newsletter this morning, and of course, loving wine like I do, settled down to read it with a chilled glass of Delaire Sauvignon Blanc wine in hand.  Ooops, I think that was wishful thinking!  Mine was an ordinary mug of coffee … I digress.

I couldn’t help but agree with  Annareth Jacobs CEO Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes in her monthly newsletter.  She has been in London for two weeks and whilst she has had a wonderful time in the art galleries, shops, restaurants and general life in London, she thinks that the people of London look miserable!

On arriving back in Cape Town, South African airlines plays a video of life in the country, what you can expect to see, that sort of thing.  The marked difference between the colour, life, smiles and downright vibrancy of the people is dramatic.

Here’s what Annareth says, “ I do agree that our lives in a third-world country is unpredictable, but that is what keeps us alive, vibrant and colourful. The rest of the world is envious of our way of living, that I can ensure you!”

I for one am certainly envious!  But I am one of the lucky ones, as I get to visit frequently, so if you want to know what all the fuss is about, make sure you add South Africa to your list of places to visit – just don’t leave it too long before we see you there!

Going to Cape Town between December 1st and 23rd 2007 or between January 3rd and 31st 2008? Why not take a special sunset ride up Table Mountain and see the spectacular sun set over Signal Hill and Camps Bay? I can guarantee it is one of the most lovely sights and you won’t regret it!

Normally the highest point you can get to is on Signal Hill, which is not bad! But going that bit further up really is the cream on the top of the mountain, or should that read cake …

South Africa Travel experiences – how would you go about researching a destination that you’ve never visited before, but one that is definitely on the “hot” list? Have you ever thought about radio shows?

I’ve just come across Rick Steve’s radio show because I am doing a course with my friend, Wayne Kelly of On Air Publicity. I wanted to learn how to be the best radio show inerviewee that I could and who better to coach me than my mate Wayne.

Part of the homework for this week is to listen to radio shows, to find out how interviews are conducted, what kept you listening and what would you do to be more interesting/informative.

I chose to listen to Rick on Spain. Boy, have I learnt a lot about the country I have chosen to live in! Quite by chance Rick is doing a show on Saturday about South Africa with Carmin Arnot, who is a native of Cape Town. I urge you to listen in if you are at all interested in South Africa. It is bound to be highly informative and I am sure will whet your appetite for this facinating country.